Juste
/ʒyst/
The French phrase for "just" is Juste.
Juste is used to mean "only" or "merely".
Which one should you use?
While you may hear Juste used to mean "only" or "merely" in colloquial speech, the more standard and precise term is seulement.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʒyst/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Juste to express that an action has "just" happened in the recent past. Instead, use the construction vient de followed by an infinitive.
Did you know?
- In music, juste describes a note that is played or sung in the correct pitch. A singer who is juste is perfectly in tune, while someone faux is off-key.
- While juste can mean 'only', it is also the standard word for 'fair' or 'righteous'. If a decision is juste, it is perceived as equitable and morally correct.
- Using juste to mean 'only' is often seen as an anglicism influenced by the English word 'just'. Purists in France may prefer seulement or uniquement in formal writing.
Examples in context
- Dis juste oui !Just say yes.Tatoeba #3646782 by sacredceltic, translation #2549760 by CK
- Tom a juste ri.Tom just laughed.Tatoeba #9391762 by Micsmithel, translation #2237066 by CK
- Elle a juste souri.She just smiled.Tatoeba #4758298 by sacredceltic, translation #2801163 by Hybrid
- Je veux juste te remercierI just want to thank you
- J'ai seulement une questionI just have one question
- Juste une chose avant de partir…Just one thing before leaving…
- Je suis juste fatiguéI'm just tired
- C'est tout simplement génialIt's just fantastic
- 1699 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are discussing a recent referee's decision in a sports game.
- ManonC'était une faute, ce n'est pas juste.It was a foul, it is not fair.
- GabrielJe pense que l'arbitre a été juste.I think the referee was fair.
- ManonGabriel, tu es trop gentil avec lui.Gabriel, you are too kind to him.
- GabrielNon, Manon, il a simplement suivi les règles.No, Manon, he simply followed the rules.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry juste.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
